System and method to store and retrieve identifier associated information content

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, information content files, such as text files, image files, XML files and the like, that provide information related to an identifier bearing item, such as a consumer item with a barcode, are stored on a data storage device such as network server. Identifier data entries, such as UPC data, are associated with file data entries, such as file names, in a database. General file access information that is used in accessing the information content files is stored on a terminal. In operation an identifier is read by the terminal and is used to extract one of the file data entries from the database based on database communication information stored on the terminal. The file data entry in combination with the general file access information is used to establish communication with the data storage device and to extract one of the information content files.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/138,206 for a System and Method to Store and RetrieveIdentifier Associated Information Content, filed Dec. 23, 2013 (andpublished Apr. 17, 2014 as U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2014/0108402), now U.S. Pat. No. 9,165,076, which claims the benefit ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/852,596 for a System and Method toStore and Retrieve Identifier Associated Information Content, filed May24, 2004 (and published Jun. 28, 2005 as U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2005/0165784), now U.S. Pat. No. 8,615,487, which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 60/538,958 for a System andMethod to Store and Retrieve Identifier Associated Information Content,filed Jan. 23, 2004. Each of the foregoing patent applications, patentpublications, and patents is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to systems and methods for storing andretrieving information content associated with an identifier. Moreparticularly the invention relates to configuring systems with a portionof the information required to locate the information content.

BACKGROUND

Transaction and portable data terminals are becoming wide spread in useto facilitate commercial transactions and to manage and track inventoryand shipped items. One of the functions of these terminals is to storeand display information related to indicia bearing items.

For example it is now commonplace that the product name and price of anitem being purchased will be displayed to a customer in response to thescanning of the product's barcode. Unfortunately despite the existenceof additional product information that could be displayed, currentterminals lack an efficient scalable system and method to provide thisadditional content.

What is needed is a system and method that facilitates the display ofproduct, inventory, shipment, and transaction specific information.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the invention features a method for storing andretrieving information content related to an identifier bearing item.The method comprises configuring the terminal with general file accessinformation. The general file access information includes at least datastorage device connection information. The data storage device containsa plurality of information content files. The method also comprisesconfiguring the terminal with database connection information. Thedatabase contains a plurality of identifier data entries and a pluralityof file data entries. Each of the plurality of identifier data entriesis associated with at least one of the file data entries, and each ofthe file data entries when combined with the general file accessinformation is capable of being used to access at least one of theplurality of information content files. The method additionallycomprises reading an identifier on the identifier bearing item togenerate identifier data. The method also comprises transmitting a filedata entry request to the database from the terminal. The file dataentry request is transmitted based on at least the stored databaselocation information and includes at least the identifier data. Further,the method comprises the terminal receiving from the database a filedata entry. In addition, the method comprises formulating an informationcontent file request. The information content file request is based onat least the general file access information and the file data entry.

In one embodiment, an entity separate from a company that provides theidentifier bearing item maintains some control over the informationcontent files. In one such embodiment, the control includes developingat least some of the content of the information content files. Inanother such embodiment, the control includes maintaining theinformation content files. In a further such embodiment, the controlincludes developing guidelines for the information content files. In oneembodiment, the entity is a retail establishment containing theterminal. In another embodiment, the entity is a content managemententity. In a further embodiment, each of a plurality of entitiesseparate from companies providing identifier bearing items maintainssome control over some of the information content files.

In various embodiments of the method, the information content filerequest is a file transfer protocol request or a hypertext transferprotocol request. In additional embodiments of the method, the file dataentry request is a file transfer protocol request or a hypertexttransfer protocol request. In some embodiments of the method, theterminal is a transaction terminal, a portable data terminal, aninformation kiosk, a cash register, or a self-checkout terminal. Infurther embodiments of the method, the information content files areimage files, extensible mark-up language files, or text files. Infurther embodiments of the method, the data storage device connectioninformation comprises a network address or telephony connectioninformation for the data storage device. In another embodiment of themethod, the data storage device is located on the terminal. In variousembodiments of the method, the identifier is represented by a barcode orstored in a radio frequency identification tag. In an additionalembodiment, the method further comprises decoding the identifier. Inanother embodiment, the general file access information specifies thelocation of the data storage device and the file data entries specifyfile paths on the data storage device. In a further embodiment, thegeneral file access information specifies the location of the datastorage device and a first file path portion and the file data entriesspecify second file path portions, the second file path portionsincluding file names. In an additional embodiment, the file data entriesare file names.

In another aspect, the invention features a system for storing andretrieving information content related to an identifier bearing item.The system comprises a reader capable of reading an identifier on theidentifier bearing item to generate identifier data. The system alsocomprises a data storage device containing a plurality of informationcontent files and a terminal configured to store general file accessinformation and database connection information. The general file accessinformation includes at least data storage device connectioninformation. The system further comprises a database containing aplurality of identifier data entries and a plurality of file dataentries. Each of the plurality of identifier data entries is associatedwith at least one of the file data entries. As part of the system, aninformation content file request transmitted by the terminal to the datastorage device is based on at least the general file access informationand one of the file data entries. The one of the file data entries isreceived in response to a file data entry request transmitted by theterminal to the database.

In one embodiment, an entity separate from a company that provides theidentifier bearing item maintains some control over the informationcontent files. In one such embodiment, the control includes developingat least some of the content of the information content files. Inanother such embodiment, the control includes maintaining theinformation content files. In a further such embodiment, the controlincludes developing guidelines for the information content files. In oneembodiment, the entity is a retail establishment containing theterminal. In another embodiment, the entity is a content managemententity. In a further embodiment, each of a plurality of entitiesseparate from companies providing identifier bearing items maintainssome control over some of the information content files.

In an additional embodiment of the system for storing and retrievinginformation content related to an identifier bearing item, the file dataentry request is based on at least the decoded identifier data and istransmitted based on at least database connection information stored inthe terminal. In various embodiments of the system for storing andretrieving information content related to an identifier bearing item,the information content file request is a file transfer protocol requestor a hypertext transfer protocol request. In one embodiment of thesystem for storing and retrieving information content related to anidentifier bearing item, the general file access information specifies anetwork address of the data storage device and each of the file dataentries provide information identifying one of the information contentfiles. In various embodiments of the system for storing and retrievinginformation content related to an identifier bearing item, the terminalis a transaction terminal, a portable data terminal, an informationkiosk, a cash register, or a self-checkout terminal. In someembodiments, the information content files include image files,extensible mark-up language files, and/or text files. In anotherembodiment, the reader is further capable of decoding the identifier. Inanother embodiment, the general file access information specifies thelocation of the data storage device and the file data entries specifyfile paths on the data storage device. In a further embodiment, thegeneral file access information specifies the location of the datastorage device and a first file path portion and the file data entriesspecify second file path portions, the second file path portionsincluding file names. In an additional embodiment, the file data entriesare file names.

In another aspect the invention features a system for storing andretrieving information content related to an identifier bearing item.The system comprises a reader capable of reading an identifier on theidentifier bearing item to generate identifier data. The identifier dataspecifying at least a source of the identifier bearing item. The systemalso comprises a database containing a plurality of identifier dataentries. Each of the identifier data entries is associated with aredirection entry. In addition the system comprises a terminal incommunication with the reader. The terminal is configured with databaseconnection information. The system also comprises a data storage devicecontaining a plurality of information content files. At least one of theplurality of information content files is related to the identifierbearing item. The system further comprises a communications network incommunication with the terminal, the database and the data storagedevice. The system also comprises an entity separate from the source ofthe identifier bearing item that maintains some control over the atleast one of the plurality of information content files related to theidentifier bearing item. In operation, the terminal establishescommunication with the data storage device and requests at least one ofthe at least one of the plurality of information content files that isrelated to the identifier bearing item based on the redirection entryassociated with the identifier bearing item.

In various embodiments, the source of the identifier bearing item is amanufacturer or an importer of the identifier bearing item. In oneembodiment of the system, the some control comprises maintaining theinformation content files. In another embodiment of the system, the somecontrol comprises developing guidelines for the information contentfiles. In a further embodiment of the system, the some control comprisesdeveloping at least some of the content of the information contentfiles. In an additional embodiment of the system, the entity is a retailestablishment containing the terminal. In yet another embodiment of thesystem, the entity is a content management entity. In a furtherembodiment of the system, each of a plurality of entities separate froma plurality of sources for a corresponding plurality of identifierbearing items maintains some control over some of the informationcontent files.

In another aspect the invention features a method for storing andretrieving information content related to an identifier bearing item.The method comprises configuring a terminal with database connectioninformation. The database contains a plurality of identifier dataentries. Each of the identifier data entries is associated with aredirection entry. The method also comprises reading an identifier onthe identifier bearing item to generate identifier data, the identifierdata specifying at least a source of the identifier bearing item. Inaddition the method comprises transmitting from the terminal to thedatabase a redirection request. The redirection request is transmittedbased on at least the stored database location information and includesat least the identifier data. Further, the method comprises receiving bythe terminal from the database a redirection entry. Additionally, themethod comprises transmitting an information content file request by theterminal to one of a plurality of data storage devices based on at leastthe redirection entry. The information content file request identifiesat least one of a plurality of information content files stored on theone of the plurality of data storage devices. The at least one of theplurality of information content files is related to the identifierbearing item. The method also comprises receiving by the terminal fromthe one of the plurality of data storage devices the at least one of theplurality of information content files. As part of the method, an entityseparate from the source of the identifier bearing item maintains somecontrol over the at least one of the plurality of information contentfiles that is related to the identifier bearing item.

In various embodiments of the method, the source of the identifierbearing item is a manufacturer or an importer of the identifier bearingitem. In one embodiment of the method, the some control comprisesmaintaining the information content files. In another embodiment of themethod, the some control comprises developing guidelines for theinformation content files. In a further embodiment of the method, thesome control comprises developing at least some of the content of theinformation content files. In an additional embodiment of the method,the entity is a retail establishment containing the terminal. In yetanother embodiment of the method, the entity is a content managemententity. In a further embodiment of the method, each of a plurality ofentities separate from a plurality of sources for a correspondingplurality of identifier bearing items maintains some control over someof the information content files.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of storing andretrieving information content related to an identifier bearing item.The method comprises storing database connection information on aterminal. The database contains a plurality of identifier data entriesand a plurality of information content files, each of the plurality ofidentifier data entries is associated with at least one of theinformation content files. The method also comprises reading anidentifier on the identifier bearing item to generate identifier data.In addition the method comprises transmitting a request for aninformation content file based on at least the stored databaseconnection information. The request for the information content fileincludes at least the identifier data.

In one embodiment, the current method further comprises processing therequest by the database to identify the identifier data entrycorresponding to the identifier and to locate the information contentfile associated with the identifier data entry. In an additionalembodiment, the method further comprises transmitting to the terminalfor display the at least one information content file. In anotherembodiment of the current method, the terminal is a transactionterminal. In yet another embodiment of the current method, the terminalis a potable data terminal. In various embodiments, the databaseconnection information comprises a network address and/or telephonyconnection information. In an additional embodiment, the database islocated on the terminal. In a further embodiment, the terminal is a cashregister. In yet another embodiment of the current method, theinformation content files include image files. In yet an additionalembodiment of the current method, the information content files includeXML files. In yet a further embodiment of the current method, theinformation content files are text files. In another embodiment of thecurrent method, the identifier is stored in or represented by a barcode,a RFID tag, a smart card, a credit card magnetic strip, a biometric datastorage device and the like.

In another aspect, the invention features a system for storing andretrieving information content related to an identifier bearing item.The system comprises a database containing a plurality of identifierdata entries and a plurality of information content files, each of theplurality of identifier data entries is associated with at least one ofthe information content files. The system also comprises a terminalconfigured with database connection information. In addition, the systemcomprises an identifier reader capable of reading an identifier on theidentifier bearing item to generate identifier data.

In another embodiment of the current system, the terminal is atransaction terminal. In yet another embodiment of the current system,the terminal is a portable data terminal. In yet another embodiment ofthe current system, the terminal is a cash register. In variousembodiments of the current system, the database connection informationcomprises a network address and/or telephony connection information. Inan additional embodiment of the current system, the information contentfiles include image and/or graphics files. In a further embodiment ofthe current system, the information content files include XML files. Inyet a further embodiment of the current system, the information contentfiles include text files.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of storing andretrieving information content related to an identifier bearing item.The method comprises storing general file access information on aterminal. The general file access information specifies at least thelocation of a data storage device. The data storage device contains aplurality of information content files. The method also comprisesstoring the location of a database on the terminal. The databasecontains a plurality of identifier data entries and a plurality of filedata entries. Each of the plurality of identifier data entries isassociated with at least one of the file data entries. Each of the filedata entries when combined with the general file access informationspecifies the location of at least one of the plurality of informationcontent files. In addition the method comprises reading an identifier onthe identifier bearing item to generate identifier data. The methodfurther comprises receiving from the database a file data entry. Thefile data entry is received in response to a file data entry request.The file data entry request is transmitted to the stored databaselocation and includes the identifier data. Still further the methodcomprises formulating an information content file request. Theinformation content file request includes at least the stored generalfile access information and the file data entry.

In another embodiment of the current method, the general file accessinformation specifies the location of the data storage device and thefile data entries specify file paths on the data storage device. In anadditional embodiment of the current method, the general file accessinformation specifies the location of the data storage device and afirst file path portion and the file data entries specify second filepath portions. The second file path portions include file names. In afurther embodiment of the current method, the file data entries are filenames. In yet an additional embodiment of the current method, theterminal is a transaction terminal. In yet another embodiment of thecurrent method, the terminal is a portable data terminal. In yet anotherembodiment of the current method, the terminal is a cash register. Inyet a further embodiment of the current method, the information contentfiles include text, image and/or XML files. In still a furtherembodiment of the current method, the reader is also capable of decodingthe identifier data.

In another aspect, the invention features a system for storing andretrieving information content related to an identifier bearing item.The system comprises a reader capable of reading an identifier on theidentifier bearing item to generate identifier data. The system alsocomprises a data storage device containing a plurality of informationcontent files. In addition, the system comprises a terminal having amemory configured to store general file access information. The generalfile access information specifies at least the location of the datastorage device. Further, the system comprises a database containing aplurality of indicia data entries and a plurality of file data entries,each of the plurality of identifier data entries is associated with atleast one of the file data entries. Each of the file data entries whencombined with the general file access information specifies the locationof at least one of the plurality of information content files.

In another embodiment of the current system, the general file accessinformation specifies the location of the data storage device and thefile data entries specify file paths on the data storage device. Inanother embodiment of the current system, the general file accessinformation specifies the location of the data storage device and afirst file path portion and the file data entries specify second filepath portions. The second file path portions include at least filenames. In a further embodiment of the current system, the file dataentries are file names. In yet another embodiment of the current system,the terminal is a transaction terminal. In yet an additional embodimentof the current system, the terminal is a portable data terminal. In yeta further embodiment of the current system, the information contentfiles are image and/or graphics files. In a still further embodiment ofthe current system, the information content files are XML files. Instill another embodiment of the current system, the information contentfiles are text files.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and further advantages of this invention may be betterunderstood by referring to the following description in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate likestructural elements and features in various figures. The drawings arenot necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed uponillustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of an identifier associated information contentstorage and retrieval system implemented with a plurality ofpoint-of-sale locations.

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of one embodiment of the transactionterminal of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the functionality of one embodiment of thetransaction terminal of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of an identifier associated information contentstorage and retrieval system implemented with a plurality of portabledata terminals.

FIGS. 5A-5D show different perspective drawings of one embodiment of aportable data terminal of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows an electrical block diagram of one embodiment of theportable data terminal of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an embodiment of an identifier associated information contentstorage and retrieval system constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow-chart illustrating a process for employing the systemof FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a flow-chart illustrating a process for retrieving identifierassociated information content according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 10 is an alternative embodiment of an identifier associatedinformation content storage and retrieval system constructed inaccordance with the principles of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a flow-chart illustrating a process for employing the systemof FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an additional alternative embodiment of an identifierassociated information content storage and retrieval system constructedin accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a flow-chart illustrating a process for employing the systemof FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, the present invention features a terminal, such as atransaction terminal or a portable data terminal, that is configured toaccess information content associated with an identifier. For example inone embodiment, reading an identifier at a point-of-sale location in aretail environment causes supplemental information, such as promotions,to be retrieved and displayed to a shopper. In various embodiments, theidentifier, such as an alphanumeric sequence, can be stored orrepresented in various forms such as an indicia such as a one or twodimensional barcode or other symbology, a stock keeping unit (SKU), acoupon, a biometric data storage device, a credit card magnetic stripe,a smart card, a radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag, or a radiofrequency (RF) payment token such as a key fob or a RF enabled creditcard, ATM card, debit card or the like.

In one embodiment, information content files, such as text files, imagefiles, audio files, graphics files, video files, extensible mark-uplanguage (XML) files and the like, that provide information related toan identifier bearing item, such as a consumer item with a barcode, arestored on a data storage device such as a database or a file server on anetwork computer. In another device, such as a second networkeddatabase, identifier data entries, such as decoded UPC data, areassociated with file data entries, such as file names or indices.General file access information that is used in accessing theinformation content files is configured in a terminal. In operation anidentifier, such as a UPC barcode, is read by the terminal and is usedto extract one of the file data entries from the database based ondatabase communication information configured in the terminal. The filedata entry in combination with the general file access information isthen used to establish communication with the data storage device and toextract one of the information content files. In one embodiment, thedatabase is located on a computer system remote from the terminal andthe data storage device is located on the terminal.

In an additional embodiment, a database directly associates identifierdata with information content files. In this embodiment, information forestablishing communication with the database is stored on the terminal.Configuring the terminal with data storage device and/or databaseconnection information while storing the information content files inthe database or data storage device provides direct, efficient andscalable systems and methods for storing, managing, and retrievinginformation content associated with an identifier. In various otherembodiments, the terminal can be a transaction terminal, an informationand/or transaction kiosk, a portable data terminal, a personal dataassistant (PDA), a cash register, a point-of-sale location, a cellularphone or an alternative computing device of an arbitrary form factorthat is configured to access information content associated with anidentifier. In one embodiment, the terminal is a self-checkout terminalthat includes the functionality of a transaction terminal, a cashregister, an information kiosk, and an identifier reader.

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a system 2 a for storing andretrieving information content associated with an identifier is shown.The system 2 a is an embodiment of the invention implemented in apoint-of-sale environment. The system 2 a includes a plurality ofpoint-of-sale 4 a, . . . , 4 n locations (generally 4) such as thosethat are commonly found in a retail environment. Each point-of-salelocation 4 includes a PC POS cash register 6 and a transaction terminal14. The PC POS cash registers 6 and the transaction terminals 14 areconnected to a local area network (LAN) 5, such as a wired or wirelessEthernet network. In some embodiments, the wireless network can beconstructed in accordance with any of the 802.11 family ofspecifications. Additionally part of the system 2 a and connected to theLAN 5 is a local store computer 7. The system 2 a also includes a remotecomputer 9 connected to the store computer 7 via a wide area network(WAN) 8 such as the Internet. In various embodiments, the WAN 8 caninclude or be replaced with a variety of communication links such astraditional and cellular telephone and satellite networks. In operation,the store computer 7 supports network traffic so that the PC POS cashregister 6 and the transaction terminal 14 can communicate directly withthe remote computer 9. In alternative embodiments, the PC POS cashregister 6 and the transaction terminal 14 are directly connected to theWAN 8.

The PC POS cash register 6 typically includes a personal computer housedin a conventionally known PC housing 6 a and multiple interfacing orassociated components including an image reader 6 b, a keyboard 6 c, acash register drawer 6 d, a printer 6 e, and a monitor 6 f. In oneembodiment the image reader 6 b is used to read and/or decode one andtwo dimensional bar codes, symbols and images. In another embodiment,the image reader 6 b can be a laser scanner or can include RFID or RFreading and decoding capacity. The identifier in the embodiment shown inFIG. 1 is a bar code 12 on an article of commerce 11. In alternativeembodiments, the identifier can be stored in or represented by anindicia such as a symbol or graphic, a RFID tag, a RF payment token suchas a key fob, a credit card magnetic stripe, biometric data, or otherphysical, optical, and/or electromagnetic objects that can be used tostore identification information such as an alphanumeric sequence.

Typically PC POS cash registers 6 are equipped with communicationinterfaces, e.g. a dial-up or cable modem interface, a USB interface, aPCMCIA interface, a wireless or hardwired Ethernet interface, a RS232interface, an IBM Tailgate Interface RS485 interface, a PS/2keyboard/mouse port, a specialized audio and/or video interface, aCompactFlash interface, a PC Card Standard interface, a Secure Digitalstandard for memory, a Secure Digital Input Output for input/outputdevices and/or any other standard or proprietary device interface. ACompactFlash interface is an interface designed in accordance with theCompactFlash standard as described in the CompactFlash Specificationversion 2.0 maintained at the website http://www.compactflash.org. TheCompactFlash Specification version 2.0 document is herein incorporatedby reference in its entirety. A PC Card Standard interface is aninterface designed in accordance with the PC Card Standard as describedby, for example, the PC Card Standard 8.0 Release—April 2001 maintainedby the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA)and available through the website at http://www.pcmcia.org. The PC CardStandard 8.0 Release—April 2001 Specification version 2.0 document isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The interfaces thatcan be included in various embodiments enable communication withexternal computer systems, computing devices such as the transactionterminal 14, the image reader 6 b, the keyboard 6 c, the printer 6 e andthe monitor 6 f and networks such as the LAN 5 and/or the WAN 8.

Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective drawing showing additional details ofthe transaction terminal 14 is presented. As part of a system forstoring and retrieving information content associated with anidentifier, the transaction terminal 14 can be used in a wide range ofenvironments where potentially secure interactive communications arerequired with a custom/user. For example, the transaction terminal 14can be used to facilitate a remote user's access to a central databaseand/or to access financial transaction information.

In operation the transaction terminal 14 may be adapted for reading cardinformation, for secure receipt of personal identification (PIN)information, for signature capture, and numerous other functions. Thetransaction terminal 14 includes a touch screen 14 a, a stylus 14 b, anindicator 14 c, an information message 14 d, and a card reader 14 e. Thetouch screen 14 a and the stylus 14 c are used as a user interface toprovide information to and receive information from a user/customer. Thetouch screen 14 a includes a display and a touch pad overlay and amongother functions serves as a virtual keypad and signature captureplatform. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transactionterminal 14 also includes an additional display screen 15 for presentinginformation to the user/customer. The display screen 15 can be a LCDflat panel display having a larger size and greater resolution than thetouch screen 14 a thereby enabling the presentation of moresophisticated images, graphics and/or animation than can be supported bythe touch screen 14 a.

As shown in FIG. 2, a card 17 that can be processed by the card reader14 e may be, for example, a credit card, a smart card, a debit card, acustomer loyalty card, an electronic benefits card, a company-sponsoredbenefits card, or an identification card containing magnetic stripe,smart card, and/or RF data. As discussed below, the functionality of thecard reader 14 e can be expanded or replaced with units capable ofreceiving and processing other, or multiple forms of, user/customeridentifier information such biometric information. In variousembodiments, the biometric information referred to above and withrespect to other embodiments can include finger prints, hand prints,retinal patterns, face patterns, DNA sequences, kinetic information suchas patterns of movement including walking, voice patterns, informationentry patterns such as typing speed, pheromone identifiers and/or otherphysical or biological identifiers.

Security for the transaction terminal 14 is facilitated by the indicator14 c and the information message 14 d. In operation the indicator 14 cis made responsive to a changing encryption mode signal so that theindicator 14 c is active only when an encryption routine is called.Still further, in accordance with the secure information entry securityfeature, in one embodiment an information message 14 d is displayed onor about the transaction terminal 14 or visible by a customer-user ofthe transaction terminal 14 that informs the customer-user that thecustomer-user should enter secure, e.g., PIN information, only ifindicator 14 c is active. Information message 14 d is preferablysubstantially permanently affixed to the transaction terminal 14 so thatan unscrupulous party cannot easily remove or destroy the informationmessage 14 d.

A high-level electrical block diagram of the transaction terminal 14 isshown in FIG. 3. Transaction terminal 14 includes a control circuit 210that comprises at least one integrated circuit (IC) microchip. Forexample, an Intel 133 Mhz or 206 Mhz SA-1110 Strong-arm centralprocessing unit CPU is suitable for use in circuit 210, although fasterand less expensive CPU IC's will be preferred when they becomeavailable. In addition to having a central processing unit, CPU 212,control circuit 210 further includes a memory 216 typically having atleast random access memory (RAM) 217 and read only memory (ROM) 218memory devices. ROM 218 may be a reprogrammable ROM, otherwise known asa “flash” ROM.

Control circuit 210 may be in communication with other types of memoryincluding “flash” type memory, e.g. a memory device 216 f sold under thecommercial names “Multimedia MMC,” “Smart Media,” “CompactFlash,” and“Memory Stick.” Flash type memory devices are especially useful forstoring image data and signature data. Memory 216 which may be includedin or in communication with control circuit 210 may also comprise along-term storage device 216s such as a hard drive, a floppy disk, or acompact disc. It has become increasingly common to package memorydevices, particularly RAM and ROM devices within a single IC chipincluding control circuit CPU 212, RAM 216, and ROM 218.

Control circuit 210 is in communication with a number of components,including card reader 14 e that can be an insert style (also known as“dip” style) hybrid magnetic stripe and smart card reader/writer 240. Ahybrid reader 240 may be an OEM integrated unit, e.g. a ZU series readerof the type available from Matsushita of Japan, a ST-40 series hybridreader available from Secure-Tech, or a hybrid reader of the typeavailable from IDTECH. Hybrid reader 240 includes a magnetic stripereader 241 in communication with magnetic control and decode circuit 242and smart card reader/writer 243 in communication with smart cardcontrol and decode circuit 244.

Control circuit 210 in the embodiment of FIG. 3 is also in communicationwith a RF ID reader unit having a reader 261, with associated controland decode circuit 262. RF ID reader 261 may be, for example a Kroneggerminiaturized RF reader. In one embodiment, the reader 261 reads RFpayment tokens, such as RF enabled transaction cards such as creditcards, debit cards, ATM cards, and the like. In one such an embodiment,the reader 261 can be integrated into the hybrid reader 240 along withthe corresponding control and decode circuit 262.

Another user interface data input device that may be disposed incommunication with control circuit 210 is an optical reader unit orimaging assembly having module assembly 263 and associated control anddecode out circuit 264. Control and decoding could also be carried outby control circuit 210. A model IT 4000 or IT 4200 optical reader modulewith decode out circuit of the type available from Hand Held Products,Inc. of 700 Visions Drive, P.O. Box 208, Skaneateles Falls, N.Y. may beselected to provide the function indicated by blocks 263 and 264. Module263 could also be a linear image sensor module or any commerciallyavailable bar code scanner such as an IMAGETEAM™ 4410 Hand Held 2DImagers from Hand Held Products. In various embodiments the opticalreader unit can be used to read and/or decode one and two dimensionalbar codes, symbols and the like.

Still further, control circuit 210 may be in communication with afingerprint scanner unit having a scanner 265 and associated controlcircuitry 266. A fingerprint scan unit may be provided by, for example,by a Bioscrypt, Inc. OEM module fingerprint scan unit, a BERGDATA OEMmodule fingerprint scan unit or an ULTRA SCAN Corp. Series 400 OEMFingerprint Scan unit. Transaction terminal 14 may capture an electronicfingerprint representation and send the electronic fingerprintrepresentation to a non-integral computer system or to the storecomputer 7 or remote computer 9 for processing. Also the transactionterminal 14 may periodically download a database of relevant electronicfingerprint authorizations for use by control circuit 210 in performingfingerprint identification functions for use, for example, in providingbiometric identification for specified transactions.

Transaction terminal 14 can also include a retinal scan unit includingscanner 267 associated control circuit 268. A scan unit includingscanner 267 and control circuit 268 may be provided by components froman Icam 2001 retina scan unit available from Eye Dentify Corp. Controlcircuit 210 may perform identifications based on captured retinal scansignatures by transmitting captured electronic retinal signatures to anonintegrated computer system for identification or by downloading adatabase of signatures from, for example from the remote computer 9, foridentification by circuit 210. In other embodiments, as discussed above,the transaction terminal can also include software and/or hardware forbiometric information related to hand prints, face patterns, DNAsequences, kinetic information such as patterns of movement includingwalking, voice patterns, information entry patterns such as typingspeed, pheromone identifiers and/or other physical or biologicalidentifiers

As discussed with respect to FIG. 2, the transaction terminal 14includes a touch screen 14 a including a display and a touch padoverlay. Touch screen 14 a displays information to a user such as promptinformation, advertising messages, etc. Touch screen 14 a also serves asa means to input data as, for example, a virtual keypad and signaturecapture platform. The display of touch screen 14 a may include a LCDdisplay such as a 5.7″ ¼ VGA (320×240) resolution color or monochromeLCD screen of the type available from Nan Ya Corporation. The displaymay be driven by an on-chip LCD controller available on a microchipincluding circuit CPU 212 if appropriate circuitry is provided, or inassociation with dedicated control circuit 235 as shown in FIG. 3. Thetouch pad overlay may be, for example, a Nissa NIS/RC-872 overlay withparallel interface. The touch pad overlay typically operates inassociation with touch screen controller 231. Touch screen controlcircuit 231, like LCD circuit 235 can be integrated in an IC comprisingelements of control circuit 210.

As shown in FIG. 3, the transaction terminal 14 may also include asecure circuit block 220 for preventing theft of electronically storedinformation such as PIN information. In various embodiments, operationalelements of the transaction terminal 14 can be implemented in differentcombinations of hardware, software, and/or firmware. The operationalelements of the transaction terminal 14 include the secure circuit block220, the display control circuit 235, the touch control circuit 231, themagnetic control and decode circuit 242, the magnetic stripe reader 241,the smart card control and decode circuit 244, the smart cardreader/writer 243, the RFID control and decode circuit 262, the RFIDreader 261, the optical reader control and decode circuit 264, theoptical reader 263, the finger print scanner control circuit 266, thefinger print scanner 265, the retinal scanner control circuit 268, andthe retinal scanner 267. Additional disclosure related to RFID and RFsystems and methods is discussed in the U.S. application Ser. No.10/825,088, filed Apr. 15, 2004, entitled “Proximity TransactionApparatus And Methods Of Use Thereof,” and hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Still further, the transaction terminal 14 includes at least one andpreferably more than one communication interface for providingcommunication with external computer systems such as the PC POS cashregister 6, the LAN 5, and/or the WAN 9. In the specific embodimentshown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, the transaction terminal 14includes a universal connector port 39 wherein at least a first pin orgroup of pins are in communication with a first type of interface and atleast a second pin or group of pins are in communication within a secondtype of interface. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the universalconnector port 39 is connected to a switching circuit 251 for switchingthe path between connector 39 and a RS 232 interface 254 and a RS485 IBMTailgate Interface 253. The universal connector port 39 is alsoconnected to a USB interface 252. In alternative embodiments, theuniversal connector port 39 includes additional groups of pins incommunication with additional types of interface. The transactionterminal 14 also includes an Ethernet interface 250 connected to the I/Oport 40.

Additionally, the transaction terminal 14 can include such interfaces asa PCMCIA interface 255 in communication with a PCMCIA slot connector 41.Slot connector 41 may receive, for example, an RF communication card, aflash memory card, an optical reader PCMCIA card or other commonlyavailable PCMCIA cards. A RF or other wireless type of interface mayalso be provided in hard-wired communication with control circuit 210.Electrical circuitry associated with the above types of components aremore commonly being packaged in an IC that comprises elements of controlcircuit 210. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the transactionterminal also includes a CompactFlash interface, a PC Card Standardinterface, a Secure Digital standard for memory interface, a SecureDigital Input Output for input/output devices interface, a PS/2keyboard/mouse interface, a specialized video and/or audio interface,and/or any other appropriate standard or proprietary device interface.

Including multiple interfaces in the transaction terminal 14 yieldsoperational advantages. For example if the transaction terminal 14 isconnected to a cash register with a limited capacity for data andinstructional communications, the transaction terminal 14 cancommunicate directly via LAN 5, or in alternative embodiments via WAN 8,with remote computer systems such as the store computer 7 or the remotecomputer 9. In addition, the plurality of interfaces support thestraight-forward attachment of a variety of devices.

In additional embodiments, the transaction terminal 14 can also transmitinformation such as voice or data communications via Global System forMobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), CodeDivision Multiple Access (CDMA), Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD),Mobitex cellular phone and data networks and network components. Inother embodiments, the transaction terminal 14 can transmit informationusing a DataTAC™ network or a wireless dial-up connection. Additionaldisclosure related to transaction terminal systems and methods isdiscussed in the U.S. application Ser. No. 10/339,444, filed Jan. 9,2003, entitled “Transaction Terminal Comprising Imaging Module,” andhereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Referring to FIG. 4, an embodiment of a system 2 b for storing andretrieving information content associated with an identifier is shown.The system 2 b includes a plurality of portable data terminals 13 a, 13b, . . . , 13 n (generally 13) such as those typically used in awarehouse, retail or shipping environment to access and/or storeinformation associated with an identifier. The portable data terminals13 can be any commercially available appropriate unit such as a Dolphin®9500 from Hand Held Products, Inc. constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the identifieris a bar code 12 on an article of commerce 11 and the identifier readeris an optical reader. In alternative embodiments the identifier readercan include a magnetic stripe reader, a RF reader for interrogatingand/or writing to RFID tags and RF payment tokens such as RF enabledtransaction cards or key fobs, or another reader capable of readingphysical, optical, and/or electromagnetic objects that can be used tostore identification information such as alphanumeric sequences.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the portable data terminals 13 are incommunication with a local area network (LAN) 5 via wireless connections37. Additionally part of the system 2 b and connected to the LAN 5 is alocal store computer 7. The system 2 b also includes a remote computer 9connected to the store compute 7 via a wide area network (WAN) 8 such asthe Internet. In alternative embodiments the portable data terminals 13can communicate via a wireless wide area network (WWAN) modem with aremote computer system such as the remote computer 9. In additionalembodiments, the portable data terminals 13 can also transmitinformation such as voice or data communications via Global System forMobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), CodeDivision Multiple Access (CDMA), Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD),Mobitex cellular phone and data networks and network components. Inother embodiments, the potable data terminals 13 can transmitinformation using a DataTAC™ network or a wireless dial-up connection.

FIGS. 5A-5D show different perspective drawings of an exemplary portabledata terminal 13 of FIG. 4. FIG. 5A shows a top perspective, FIG. 5Bshows a bottom perspective, FIG. 5C shows a front perspective view, andFIG. 5D shows a back perspective view. As shown, the portable dataterminal in one embodiment includes interface elements including adisplay 404, a keyboard 408, interface buttons 412 for example forpositioning a cursor, a trigger 416, and a stylus 420 with a stylusholder 424. The portable data terminal 13 further includes an identifierreader 428 that in FIG. 5C is shown as an image reader and decoder. Inadditional embodiments the portable data terminal can have itsfunctionality enhanced with the addition of multiple detachable computerperipherals. In various embodiments, the computer peripherals caninclude one or more of a magnetic stripe reader and decoder, a biometricreader and decoder such as a finger print scanner, a printer such as areceipt printer, a RFID tag or RF payment reader and decoder, and thelike.

The portable data terminal 13 further includes an electro-mechanicalinterface 432 such as a dial-up or cable modem interface, a USBinterface, a PCMCIA interface, an Ethernet interface, a RS232 interface,an IBM Tailgate Interface RS485 interface, a CompactFlash interface, aPC Card Standard interface, a Secure Digital standard for memoryinterface, a Secure Digital Input Output for input/output devicesinterface and/or any other appropriate standard or proprietary deviceinterface. In various embodiments the electro-mechanical interface 432can be used as part of attaching computer peripherals. The ability toaugment the functionality of a computing device by attaching computerperipherals is discussed more extensively in the related U.S.application Ser. No. 10/819,655, filed Apr. 7, 2004, entitled “HTTPEnabled Computer Peripheral” and Ser. No. 10/819,616, filed Apr. 7,2004, entitled “Routing Device And Method For Use With A HTTP EnabledComputer Peripheral,” both of which are hereby incorporated by referencein their entirety. In addition in one embodiment, the portable dataterminal 13 is designed to include a finger saddle 434. The fingersaddle 434 is characterized, as best seen from the bottom view FIG. 5B,by a surface having a generally U-shaped configuration in a directiongenerally parallel to longitudinal axis, X, of the portable dataterminal 13. The generally U-shaped surface conforms to the naturalcontour of an operator's relaxed finger.

An electrical block diagram of one embodiment of the portable dataterminal 13 is shown in FIG. 6. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, theidentifier reader 428 includes an optical reader having an image engineincluding two-dimensional image sensor 436 provided on image sensor chip440 and associated imaging optics 444. Image sensor chip 440 may beprovided in an IT4000 or IT4200 image engine of the type available fromHHP, Inc. of Skaneateles Falls, N.Y. The portable data terminal 13further includes a processor integrated circuit (IC) chip 448 such asmay be provided by, for example, an INTEL Strong ARM RISC processor oran INTEL PXA255 Processor. Processor IC chip 448 includes a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 452. As indicated above, the portable dataterminal 13 may include a display 404, such as a liquid crystal display,a keyboard 408, a plurality of communication or radio transceivers suchas a 802.11 radio communication link 456, a GSM/GPRS radio communicationlink 460, and/or a blue tooth radio communication link 464. The portabledata terminal 13 may further include an infrared (IR) communication link468. The keyboard 408 may communicate with IC chip 448 viamicrocontroller chip 472. The portable data terminal 13 further includesa memory 474 including a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. Thevolatile memory in one embodiment is provided in part by a RAM 476. Thenon-volatile memory may be provided in part by flash ROM 480. ProcessorIC chip 448 is in communication with the RAM 476 and ROM 480 via asystem bus 484. Processor IC chip 448 and microcontroller chip 472 alsoinclude areas of volatile and non-volatile memory. In one embodiment,the processor IC chip 447 includes a control circuit that itself employsthe CPU 452 and memory 474. Non-volatile areas of the memory 474 can beused, for example, to store program operating instructions.

In various embodiments, the processor IC chip 452 may include a numberof I/O interfaces (not all shown in FIG. 6) including several serialinterfaces (e.g., general purpose, Ethernet, blue tooth), and parallelinterfaces (e.g., PCMCIA, Compact Flash).

For capturing images, the control circuit sends appropriate control andtiming signals to image sensor chip 440 and to the field programmablegate array (FPGA) 488 or another programmable logic device (e.g., anASIC). Operating under the control of the control circuit, the FPGA 488manages the transfer of image data generated by the chip 440 into theRAM 476. The control circuit processes frames of image data to decode abar code or a set of OCR characters, for example. Various bar code andOCR decoding algorithms are commercially available, such as by theincorporation of an IT4250 image engine with decoder board, availablefrom HHP, Inc. The IT4250 decoder board decodes symbologies such asMaxiCode, PDF417, MicroPDF417, Aztec, Aztec Mesa, Data Matrix, QR Code,Code 49, UCC Composite, Snowflake, Vericode, Dataglyphs, Code 128,Codabar, UPC/EAN, Interleaved 2 of 5, RSS, BC 412, Code 93, Codablock,Postnet (US), BPO4 State, Canadian 4 State, Japanese Post, KIX (DutchPost), Planet Code, OCR A, OCR B, and the like.

Among other operations, the infrared transceiver 468 facilitatesinfrared copying of data from a portable data terminal 13 in abroadcasting mode to a portable data terminal 13 in a receiving mode.Utilization of infrared transceiver 468 during a data copying sessionallows data broadcast from a single broadcast device to besimultaneously received by several receiving devices without any of thereceiving devices being physically connected to the broadcasting device.Additional disclosure related to portable data terminals is discussed inthe U.S. application Ser. No. 10/669,894, filed Sep. 23, 2003, entitled“Reprogramming System Including Reprogramming Symbol,” and herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

Referring to FIG. 7, a block diagram of a system 2 c for storing andretrieving information content associated with an identifier is shown.The system 2 c shown in FIG. 7 encompasses the embodiments 2 a and 2 bshown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The system 2 c includes a plurality of terminals10 a, 10 b, 10 c, . . . , 10 n (generally 10). The terminals 10 arecapable of reading an identifier and displaying information contentassociated with the identifier. Although not limited to the embodimentslisted, the terminals 10 can be transaction terminals 14, portable dataterminals 13, cash registers 6, point-of-sale locations 4, PDAs,cellular phones, self-checkout terminals or computing devices of anarbitrary form factor capable of storing connection information andretrieving and processing information content associated with anidentifier. In various embodiments, the set of terminals 10 in thesystem 2 c can include terminals 10 with different form factors.

As shown in FIG. 7 with respect to the terminal 10 a, the terminals 10comprise a computing unit 20, having a memory 16, that is communicationwith an identifier reader 18 and a display 22. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 7, the identifier reader 18 is an image reader and decoder, suchas the optical reader 263 shown in FIG. 3, for reading an identifier onan identifier bearing item to generate identifier data. In FIG. 7, theidentifier is a bar code 12 on an article of commerce 11. As indicatedabove in various embodiments, the identifier can be stored in orrepresented by various forms such as an indicia, a RFID tag, a RFpayment token such as a key fob, a transaction card magnetic stripe, asmart card chip, a biometric data storage device or other physical,optical, and/or electromagnetic objects that can be used to storeidentification information such as an alphanumeric sequence. Inadditional alternative embodiments, the identifier reader 18 can be ahybrid reader 240, a RFID reader 261, a finger print scanner 265, aretinal scanner 267, or an alternative device capable of reading and/ordecoding financial, product and/or identity related information. Amongother functions, the display 22 is capable of presenting to auser/customer information associated with the identifier bearing item.

In one embodiment, the identifier data generated by the identifierreader 16 specifies according to an extrinsic standard at least a sourceof an identifier bearing item. In various embodiments, the source of theidentifier bearing item can include the manufacturer, importer,distributor, and/or supplier of the identifier bearing item. As theoriginator of the identifier bearing item, the source is distinct fromthe vendor or retailer who sells or provides the identifier bearingitem. In various embodiments, the vendor or retailer is the entity thatcontrols the operation of the terminal 10 that is used to access anddisplay information to a user/customer. In additional embodiments, thesource of the identifier bearing object can be a provider of servicesassociated with the identifier bearing object. For example in one suchembodiment, the identifier bearing item is a coupon offering a discountfor the purchase of a particular service.

Also as shown in FIG. 7, the terminal 10 a is in communication with arelational database 34. Information required to access the relationaldatabase 34, such as a network address of the relational database 34, isconfigured in a portion 36 of the memory 16 of the computing unit 20. Inone embodiment, the network address of the relational database is anInternet protocol (IP) address. In an alternative embodiment, theinformation required to access the relational database 34 includespoint-to-point connection information, such as modem protocols orcellular phone and data connection information. In addition the terminal10 a, the database 34, and a central location 50 are connected to acommunications network 46 including at least one LAN, WAN, WV/AN,traditional or cellular telephone network and/or satellite link. Thecentral location 50 contains a central database 54 and a central datastorage device 56 and can reside on the remote computer 9 of FIGS. 1 and4.

In alternative embodiments, the relational database 34 is integrated inother elements of the system 2 c. For example in the embodiments shownin FIGS. 1 and 4, the relational database 34 could be present on thetransaction terminal 14, the PC POS cash register 6, the portable dataterminal 13, the store computer 7, and/or the remote computer 9. In anadditional alternative embodiment, the terminal 10 a is not directlyconnected to the relational database 34 and communication between thedevices occurs over the communications network 46.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the relational database 34 contains aplurality of identifier data entries 38 and a plurality of informationcontent files 114. Each of the plurality of identifier data entries 38is associated with at least one of the information content files 114.The identifier data entries 38 can include alphanumeric representationsof the identifier, such as the alphanumeric sequence encoded by thebarcode 12. A non-exhaustive list of the types of information contentfiles 114 includes text files, image files, graphics files, audio files,video files and/or XML documents. The information content files 114 canalso include software code that when downloaded and executed by thecomputing unit 20 can, for example, initiate interaction with theuser/customer such as an authentication procedure or a promotional offerrequiring user/customer participation.

In some embodiments as described below in more detail, an entityseparate from the source of the identifier bearing item maintains somecontrol over the information content files. In one such embodiment, thecontrol includes developing at least some of the content in theinformation content files. In another such embodiment, the controlincludes maintaining the information content files. In a further suchembodiment, the control includes developing guidelines for theinformation content files. In one embodiment, the entity is a retailestablishment containing the terminal. In another embodiment, the entityis a content management entity. In a further embodiment, each of aplurality of entities separate from a plurality of sources for acorresponding plurality of identifier bearing items maintains somecontrol over some of the information content files.

FIG. 8 shows one embodiment of a process 70 for retrieving from thedatabase 34 an information content file 114 associated with anidentifier bearing item. The process 70 includes configuring (step 78)the memory 16 of the computing unit 20 to store the database locationinformation. In one embodiment, the database location informationincludes a network address such as an IP address. In another embodiment,the database location information also includes software routines and/orprotocols that are used to access the database. In a further embodiment,the database location information includes elements necessary toestablish a point-to-point connection between the terminal 10 and thedatabase 34. For example in one such embodiment, the databaseinformation includes the telephone number and/or modem or othertelephone device instructions necessary to establish a traditional orcellular telephony connection with a computer system housing thedatabase.

To initiate the presentation of an information content file 114, anidentifier is read (step 82) from an identifier bearing item and decoded(step 84). In some embodiments, the decoding is performed subsequentlyin the process. In one embodiment, reading an identifier includesscanning a barcode of a consumer product at a point-of-sale terminallocation. In other embodiments, the reading and decoding of anidentifier can include the reading and decoding of a RFID tag, a RFpayment token, magnetic stripe data, and the like. Once the identifierhas been read and decoded to generate decoded identifier data, theterminal 10 extracts from the memory 36 the location of the database 34.Next, the terminal 10 transmits (step 86) a request for an informationcontent file 114 to the database 34. The request includes at least thedecoded identifier data and is transmitted to the configured databaselocation. The database processes (step 90) the request which includeslocating the identifier data entry 38 corresponding to the decodedidentifier and extracting at least one associated information contentfile 114. Once extracted from the database 34, the at least oneinformation content file 114 is transmitted (step 94) to the terminal 10for presentation (step 98) on the display 22. The presentation of theinformation content file 114 can involve the modification and/orprocessing of the information content file 114.

In various embodiments, the system 2 c of FIG. 7 and the method 70 ofFIG. 8 can be used to provide product or identifier bearing item relatedinformation to a consumer purchasing goods or services. In oneembodiment, the product or goods information is stored on a backroomstore computer that has an assigned network address. For the purposes ofillustration in the current example, the network address is an IPaddress specified as 196.25.112.1. Further the address is configured inthe memory of a PC based cash register that is part of a point-of-salelocation.

In addition as part of the present illustrative example as part of aconsumer's purchase of goods, the bar codes on the goods are read by abar code scanner. The extracted bar code data is then translated into adecoded bar code data sequence. In one embodiment for each item that isscanned, the PC based cash register sends a request for an informationcontent file that provides additional or supplemental informationregarding the scanned product. In another embodiment, a request is sentfor groups of scanned items or at periodic intervals. In a furtherembodiment, the information content files are stored as XML documentsand the store computer contains a web server. In an additionalembodiment, the information content files can be files having a varietyof formats and the store computer contains a file transfer protocol(FTP) server.

As part of obtaining an information content file that in one embodimentis a XML document, the PC based cash register sends a hypertext transferprotocol (HTTP) request to a web server on a central computer. In oneembodiment, the request is associated with a HTTP uniform resourcelocator (URL) that is of the form

-   -   http://196.25.112.1:80?GET=7341600015        where the number 7341600015 corresponds to the Uniform Product        Code (UPC) number associated with a particular product.

In general HTTP URLs can be associated with a HTTP request and are ofthe form:

-   -   http://host:port/path?query        where host specifies the server name or network address, such as        an IP address, of the location of the resource, port specifies        the local server port to be utilized in accessing the resource,        path specifies the path on the server to the file or program        (when provided, the server decides on the interpretation of this        information), and query provides arguments to the program        (again, the program decides the interpretation of the query        terms). In the current example, a relational database running on        the web server uses the query information, i.e., the decode bar        code data sequence 7341600015, to identify a corresponding XML        document. Once located, the corresponding XML document is        returned to the PC based cash register. In one embodiment the        XML document requested is a hypertext mark-up language (HTML)        document that contains text, images, graphics, video, and/or        software code such as javascripts. In various embodiments the        contents of the XML document can be presented to customer on a        screen or display device either in direct or indirect        communication with the PC based cash register. For example, the        display device could be a screen associated with a transaction        terminal that is in communication with the PC based cash        register.

In an alternative embodiment, the network including the store computerand the point-of-sale locations includes a domain name service (DNS)that allows computers to be identified by textual identifiers. Forexample with a DNS enabled network, the URL above could be rewritten as

-   -   http://central.computer:80?GET=7341600015

In one embodiment, an XML document contained in an information contentfile is used to provide supplemental or promotional material to aconsumer regarding a product being purchased. For example in oneembodiment where the item being purchased is a consumer item such as atelevision, stereo, personal computer, dish washer, refrigerator or thelike, the supplemental information can be related to offering thecustomer an extended warranty. As an XML document, the informationpresented to the customer can include interactive components that allowthe consumer to explore aspects of the additional information and/orpurchase additional services. For example in one embodiment, theinteractive components allow the user to follow hypertext links thatprovide further details on the warranty being offered. In oneembodiment, the hypertext links refer back to files on the terminal, thestore computer, or on another dedicated computer system. In anotherembodiment, the hypertext links refer to documents located on anindependently maintained computer system, such Web or FTP serversassociated with the product's company. As described above, thesecomputer systems can be connected to the PC based cash register bylocal, wide area, and/or satellite networks. In another embodiment, theinteractive components enable communication with the PC based cashregister so that, for example, a consumer who desires to purchase thewarranty can have the price of the warranty automatically added to costof the item being purchased.

FIG. 9 shows one embodiment of a process 510 for retrieving from a datastorage device an information content file associated with an identifieron an identifier bearing item. The process 510 includes configuring(step 514) a terminal with general file access information. In oneembodiment, the general file access information includes at least datastorage device connection information used in establishing a connectionwith a data storage device over a local or remote network consisting ofa variety of communication links such as telephone, computer, and/orsatellite networks. In one embodiment, the communication link includes awired or wireless packet based network such as an Ethernet network. Inone embodiment, communication with the data storage device includes aformatted message that is transmitted over a transfer control/Internetprotocol (TCP/IP) network. In another embodiment, the connection withthe data storage device includes elements of a wide area network such asthe Internet or includes a virtual private network. In anotherembodiment, the general file access information includes informationused in establishing a point-to-point connection with the data storagedevice over, for example, a telephone based network. In furtherembodiments, the telephony network can be a traditional telephonenetwork or a digital or analogy cellular phone or data network. Inanother embodiment, the data storage device is located on the samecomputer system as the terminal, and the data storage device connectioninformation is used to access the data storage device locally, forexample, over a computer bus. In one embodiment, configuring theterminal with general file access information includes storing a networkaddress of the data storage device. In another embodiment, configuringthe terminal with general file access information includes configuringand/or providing software, firmware, and/or hardware to enable thecommunication connection with the data storage device.

In various embodiments, the data storage device contains a plurality ofinformation content files. In some embodiments, the information contentfiles include information related to an identifier bearing item such aspromotional, warranty, service, repair, and/or financial information. Inan additional embodiment, the information content files are stored onmultiple data storage devices. In various other embodiments, theterminal can be a transaction terminal, an information and/ortransaction kiosk, a portable data terminal, a personal data assistant(PDA), a cash register, a point-of-sale location, a cellular phone or analternative computing device of an arbitrary form factor that isconfigured to request information content associated with an identifier.In various embodiments, the data storage device can include a database,a web or file server, or another system capable of storing and providinginformation content files.

The process 510 also includes configuring (step 518) the terminal withdatabase connection information. As with respect to the data storagedevice connection information, the database connection information isused in various embodiments to connect to a local or a remote databaseover a variety of communication links such as telephone, computer,and/or satellite networks or a computer bus. In one embodiment,communication with the database includes formatted messages transmittedover a wireless IP or wired TCP/IP connection. In another embodiment,configuring the terminal with database connection information includesstoring a network address of the database. In another embodiment,configuring the terminal with database connection information includesconfiguring software, firmware, and/or hardware to enable communicationwith the data storage device.

In various embodiments, the database includes a plurality of identifierdata entries and a plurality of file data entries. Each of the file dataentries is associated with at least one of the identifier data entries.In one embodiment, each of the file data entries when combined with thegeneral file access information provides at least some of theinformation required to access at least one of the plurality ofinformation content files stored on the data storage device. In someembodiments, additional information required to access at least one ofthe plurality of information content files can be provided by software,firmware, and/or hardware already present and configured in theterminal. In some embodiments, the identifier data entries includedecoded identifier data such as the alphanumeric sequences representingindicia data such as barcodes and symbols, SKU data, magnetic stripedata, RFID tag or RF payment data, biometric data, smart card data, andthe like. In one embodiment, the file data entries are stored on aplurality of databases and the database connection information includesthe information required to establish connections with the plurality ofdatabases. In one embodiment, the terminal processes barcode data toextract a manufacture code that is used to determine which of theplurality of databases with which to establish a connection to retrievethe corresponding file data entry.

In various embodiments, the file data entries that are associated withthe identifier data entries include references, such as file names,search strings, alphanumeric sequences such as indices, and the like. Insome embodiments once a connection with the data storage device has beenestablished using the data storage device connection informationcontained in the general file access information, the identifier dataentries are used to locate a particular file on the data storage deviceeither directly as with an index or via a query to a database. In someembodiments, the general file access information, the data storagedevice connection information, and/or the database connectioninformation include protocols, software routines and/or supplementalinformation required to establish local and/or remote connectionsbetween communication devices such as computer systems. In oneembodiment, the database is located on a remote computer system and thedata storage device is located on the terminal. In one such embodiment,the data storage device is located on the terminal to minimize thenetwork transmission load associated with transmitting the informationcontent files such as image files. In one embodiment, informationcontent files are updated at periods of network latency or at networkoff-peak hours. In additional embodiments as indicated above, theinformation content files and/or the file data entries can be stored onmultiple computer systems. For example in one embodiment, the generalfile access information includes information for connecting to aplurality of data storage devices and each file data entry includes anindex indicating one of the plurality of data storage devices as well asspecific file identification information for locating a file on thatdata storage device.

Additionally the process 510 includes reading (step 522) an identifieron an identifier bearing item to generate identifier data. Theidentifier data is used by the terminal in generating (step 526) a filedata entry request. In various embodiments, the identifier data can bedecoded by the terminal or by a subsequent device in the chain ofcommunication. The file data entry request is transmitted to thedatabase based on at least the database connection information. Thedatabase or a computer system containing the database receives (step530) and processes (step 534) the file data entry request. As part ofthe processing, at least one file data entry corresponding to theidentifier data is located. In one embodiment, if the identifier datahas not yet been decoded by the terminal or an intervening device, thenthe identifier data can be decoded as part of the processing of the filedata entry request. The located file data entry is transmitted (step538) from the database and/or the computing system associated with thedatabase and is received (step 542) by the terminal. The terminal usesthe file data entry to generate (step 546) an information content filerequest. The information content file request is transmitted (step 550)to the data storage device based at least on the general file accessinformation. In various embodiments, the file data entry request and/orthe information content file request can be HTTP requests and/or FTPrequests. In another embodiment, the file data entry request is aproprietary or non-proprietary formatted message transmitted over aTCP/IP connection. In additional embodiments, the information contentfiles include XML, documents, image files, graphics files, video files,audio files, and/or text files and the like. Based on the informationcontent file request, the data storage device locates (step 554) atleast one information content file and transmits (step 558) it to theterminal. Elements of the at least one information content file, such astext, images, graphics, audio, video, and/or software code, are thenused to present (step 562) information to a user/customer. In oneembodiment, the at least one information content file is processed bythe terminal prior to the presentation of information to theuser/customer. In alternative embodiments, the information content filerequest can include a plurality of messages being transmitted to aplurality of data storage devices to retrieve a plurality of informationcontent files. In these embodiments, the general file accessinformation, as discussed above, provides the connection information forthe plurality of data storage devices. In some embodiments as mentionedabove and as described below in more detail, an entity separate from thesources of the identifier bearing items maintains some control over theinformation content files.

In an alternative embodiment, the database or a computer systemcontaining the database is configured with the general file accessinformation. In this embodiment, the database or the computer systemcontaining the database sends the information content file request tothe data storage device. As above, the information content file requestidentifies a particular information content file and is based on thegeneral file access information and the file data entry. In thisembodiment, the information content file request directs the datastorage device to send the information content file to the terminal.

Referring to FIG. 10, a block diagram of a system 2 d of an embodimentof the invention for storing and retrieving information contentassociated with an identifier is shown. As with respect to the system 2c of FIG. 7, the system 2 d shown in FIG. 10 encompasses the embodiments2 a and 2 b shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The system 2 d includes a pluralityof terminals 10 that in one embodiment are as described above withrespect to FIG. 7 except for changes in the configuration of theterminal 10 and the corresponding changes in operation described below.As indicated above, the terminals 10 include identifier readers 16capable of generating identifier data that in one embodiment specifiesaccording to an extrinsic standard at least a source of an identifierbearing item.

As shown in FIG. 10, the terminal 10 a is in communication with arelational database 34′. In one embodiment, the relational database 34′contains a plurality of identifier data entries 38 and a plurality offile data entries 44 a, . . . , 44 n (generally 44). Each of theplurality of identifier data entries 38 is associated with at least oneof the file data entries 44. In one embodiment, the identifier dataentries 38 include decoded bar code data such as the alphanumericsequences that correspond to, for example, UPC or EAN bar codes. Invarious embodiments as indicated above, the file data entries 44 containinformation, such as file names, alphanumeric or symbolic fileidentifiers, search strings, indices and/or file path information andthe like, that is used to locate specific information content files 114.In one embodiment, the file data entries 44 include numeric indices. Forexample in one embodiment, a file data entry is the number 5 that isused to access the information content image file 5.jpg.

Also as shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of information content files 114a, . . . , 114 n (generally 114) are stored on a storage device 110 thatis in communication with the terminal 10 a. The data storage device 110can be a network or computer specific memory device capable of storingand retrieving information. In various embodiments the data storagedevice can include a database or a computer file server such as a webHTTP server or a FTP server. In one embodiment, the information contentfiles 114 are distributed on multiple data storage devices 110. In someembodiments, the data storage device 110 is configured to provideinformation in response to a telephony connection such as a modem orcellular connection. The formats of the information content files 114are as described above. In one embodiment, the data storage device 110is located on the terminal 10. In some embodiments as mentioned aboveand as described below in more detail, an entity separate from thesources of the identifier bearing items maintains some control over theinformation content files 114.

Also as shown in FIG. 10, the terminal 10 a, the database 34′, the datastorage device 110, and the central location 50 are connected to acommunications network 46 including at least one LAN, WAN, WWAN,traditional or cellular telephone network and/or satellite link. Thecentral location contains a central database 54 and a central datastorage device 56 and can reside on the remote computer 9 of FIGS. 1 and4.

In alternative embodiments, the relational database 34′ and/or the datastorage device 110 is integrated into other elements of the system 2 d.For example in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the relationaldatabase 34′ and/or the data storage device 110 could be present on thetransaction terminal 14, the PC POS cash register 6, the portable dataterminal 13, the store computer 7, and/or the remote computer 9. In anadditional alternative embodiment, the terminal 10 a is not directlyconnected to the relational database 34′ and/or the data storage device110 and communication between the devices occurs over the communicationsnetwork 46.

Referring again to FIG. 10, a first region 36 of the memory 16 of thecomputing unit 20 is configured to store connection information for therelational database 34′ and a second region 118 of the memory 16 isconfigured to store at least a portion of the general file accessinformation. In various embodiments as discussed above, the general fileaccess information is information that is employed in accessing theinformation content files 114 stored on one or more data storage devices110. For example in one embodiment, the general file access informationincludes the network address of the data storage device 110 and a filepath portion that is common to all of the information content files 114.In this embodiment, the portion of the file path that is specific to aparticular information content file 114 is stored as one of the filedata entries 44. For example in one embodiment, the file data entry 44 aprovides the specific file path information for the information contentfile 114 a. In another embodiment, the absolute path to an informationcontent file 114 is achieved through the combination of the general fileaccess information providing the address of the data storage device 110and the file data entry 44 providing the path to the information contentfile 114 relative to the data storage device 110. In a furtherembodiment, the general file access information provides the address ofthe data storage device 110 and at least a portion of the path to aninformation content file 114. In this embodiment, the file data entries44 include any remaining path information including the name of theinformation content file 114.

As indicated above according to the principles of the invention,different divisions of the complete path to an information content file114 are possible and can range from the general file access informationspecifying only data storage device location information to the generalfile access information specifying the complete path for each of theinformation content files 114 except for the file names themselves. Forexample consider a path for an information content file 114 given by:

-   -   “n:\information_content files\image_files\product_xyz.jpg”.        The general file access information could be:    -   (1) “n:\”,    -   (2) “n:\information_content files\”, or    -   (3) “n:\information_content files\image_files\”.        The corresponding file data entry 44 for the various versions of        the general file access information listed above would be:    -   (1) “information_content files\image_files\product_xyz.jpg”,    -   (2) “\image_files\product_xyz.jpg”, or    -   (3) “product_xyz.jpg.”        In example (3), the information content files 114 are only image        files.

In an additional embodiment, the general file access information and/orthe database connection information also includes software routinesand/or protocols that are used in accessing the data storage device 110and/or the database 34′. In another embodiment, the general file accessinformation and/or the database connection information includes elementsnecessary to establish a point-to-point connection between the terminal10 a and the database 34′ and/or the data storage device 110. Forexample in one such embodiment, the database connection informationincludes the cellular phone or data connection information necessary forthe terminal to establish a cellular network connection with a computersystem containing the database.

In additional alternative embodiments, the general file accessinformation includes multiple components each specifying the location ofone of a plurality of data storage devices 110. In this embodiment, eachcomponent for each data storage device 110 can also include aspecification of the file path that is common to the information contentfiles 114 located on the particular data storage device 110. Further inthis embodiment, the file data entries 44 specify the file pathinformation not provided by the corresponding component of the generalfile access information.

FIG. 11 shows one embodiment of a process 130 for retrieving from thedata storage device 110 an information content file 114 associated withan identifier on an identifier bearing item. In one embodiment, theprocess 130 is employed with the system 2 d of FIG. 10. The process 130includes configuring (step 134) a first region 36 of memory 16 withinformation related to the location, such as the network address, of therelational database 34′. The process 130 also includes configuring (step138) a second region of memory 16 with at least a portion of the generalfile access information, such as a network address. In variousembodiments, additional general file access information can be providedby configuring software, firmware, and/or hardware in the terminal. Toinitiate the retrieval and display of an information content file 114,an identifier bearing item is read (step 142). Once the identifier hasbeen read, the terminal 10 extracts from memory 16 the database 34′location information. Next, the terminal 10 transmits (step 146) arequest for a file data entry 44 to the database 34′. In one embodiment,the request includes at least the identifier and is transmitted based onat least the configured database location information. The databaseprocesses (step 150) the request which includes identifying theidentifier data entry 38 corresponding to the identifier and extractingat least one associated file data entry 44. Once the terminal 10 hasreceived the at least one file data entry 44 from the database 34′, theterminal formulates (step 154) an information content file request basedon at least the general file access information and the at least onefile data entry 44. The information content file request is thentransmitted (step 158) to the data storage device. Once located by thedata storage device 110, at least one information content file 114 istransmitted (step 162) to the terminal 10 for presentation (step 166) onthe display 22. The display of the information content file 114 caninvolve modification and/or processing of the information content file.In one embodiment, the process 130 also includes decoding the identifiereither by the terminal or another device, such as a computer systemcontaining the database, employed as part of the process 130.

In various embodiments, specifying the location of an informationcontent file 114 can include the use of any available computer fileidentification or addressing scheme that can be used to uniquelyidentify a particular file on a specific computing device. For examplein one embodiment, the general file access information can be the IPaddress of a networked computer and the file data entries 44 can be thepaths to the specific files on the particular network computer. In oneillustrative example, the location 36 of the relational database 34′ isthe IP address of a web server whose DNS identifier is store.computer1.In this illustrative example the file data entry request is a HTTPrequest associated with the URL

-   -   http://store.computer1:80?GET=7341600015        where the number 7341600015 is an alphanumeric sequence for a        decoded bar code. The web server on the store.computer1 in this        illustrative example uses the relational database 34′ to process        the request and locate the file data entry 44 corresponding to        the indicia data entry 38 for the alphanumeric sequence        7341600015.

In addition in this illustrative example, one of the information contentfiles 114 is the image file product_xyz.jpg. The corresponding file dataentry 44 includes the name and path of this information content file 114and is specified as information_contentfiles/image_files/product_xyz.jpg. Further in this illustrative example,the information content file 114 product_xyz.jpg is stored on a datastorage device 110 whose DNS identifier is store.computer2. The datastorage device 110 in this illustrative example includes a FTP server.In other embodiments, the operations of the store.computer1 and thestore.computer2 are combined on a single computer system. In the currentillustrative example, the process of performing an information contentfile request involves establishing a FTP session with thestore.computer2 by, for example, executing the FTP command

-   -   ftp store.computer2        and performing the required log on procedures. Once a FTP        session is established with the store.computer2, extracting the        image file product_xyz.jpg is achieved by executing the FTP        command    -   get information_content files/image_files/product_xyz.jpg        In the current illustrative example as indicated above, the        general file access information includes the address of the data        storage device 110, i.e., the DNS identifier store.computer2,        and the file data entries 44 include the name and paths for the        information content files 114.

In an alternative illustrative embodiment, the general file accessinformation includes both the address of the data storage device 110 andthe file path that is common to all of the information content files114, e.g., the path information_content files/image_files. In thisalternative illustrative embodiment, the file data entries 44 includesthe names of the information content files 114, e.g., product_xyz.jpg,but not the path to the specific files.

In alternative embodiments, the file data entry requests and theinformation content file requests can either or both be HTTP requests,FTP requests, or other non-proprietary or proprietary methods foraccessing files from a database or a remote computer system. For examplein one embodiment, the file data entry requests are FTP requests and theinformation content file requests are HTTP requests. In an additionalalternative embodiment, an information content file HTTP requestidentifies a particular information content file by includinginformation regarding the path to the information content file. Forexample an information content request according to this embodimentcould be of the form

-   -   http://store.computer2:80/information_contentfiles/image_files/product_xyz.jpg

In another alternative embodiment, an information content file HTTPrequest identifies a particular information content file by includingfile identification information such as the file's name. Thisinformation is used by software routines, such as search routines, tolocate the information content file. For example an information contentrequest according to this embodiment could be of the form

-   -   http://store.computer2:80?GET=product_xyz.jpg

As indicated above as part of facilitating HTTP, FTP or alternativeformatted requests, information pertaining to the locations of thedatabase used for the file data entry requests and informationpertaining to the location of the data storage device used for theinformation content file requests are configured in the terminal'smemory. Further, specific information content file location informationis provided as part of the response to the file data entry requests.

In one embodiment, promotional materials are presented to a customer inresponse to the reading of an identifier on an identifier bearing item.For example at a point-of-sale location as items are scanned by a cashregister, image files such as JPEG files can be presented to a customer.In one embodiment, each product has a unique image file that presentspromotional and/or additional information to the customer. In anotherembodiment, the same image is presented to a customer for a group ofproducts. For example in one embodiment, all of the productsmanufactured by a particular company would have a common image presentedto a customer when any of the products were scanned. In anotherembodiment, the promotional materials presented to a customer arerelated to cross selling between products. For example in oneembodiment, promotions for items that are located at or near thepoint-of-sale location and related to an item being purchased arepresented to a shopper. For example, a customer purchasing mouth washcould be presented with a promotion for breath mints and a customerpurchasing a beverage could be presented with a promotion for ice.

In another embodiment, financial transaction information is provided toa customer in response to the reading of an identifier. For example inone embodiment, a customer has a transaction card such as a credit card,a debit card, an ATM card, a store specific card, a payment token or thelike that includes customer data available in any one of a plurality ofdata formats such as optical, RF, magnetic stripe, chip based data as ona smart card, or the like. In one embodiment, the transaction cardcontains information related to potentially multiple accounts held bythe customer. As part of purchasing goods in one embodiment, thecustomer places the RF enabled transaction card in close proximity to atransaction terminal. The transaction terminal interrogates the RFenabled transaction card extracting a card identifier and/or informationrelated to the potentially multiple accounts.

In one embodiment, the card identifier and/or account informationindicates the card type such as a VISA™ card issued by a particularbank. The transaction terminal then includes the card identifier and/oraccount information in a request to a database whose address isconfigured in the memory of the transaction terminal. In one embodiment,the database is located on the transaction terminal. In otherembodiments, the database is located on a PC based cash register or aremote computer either directly or indirectly attached to thetransaction terminal. In response to the request, the transactionterminal is provided with an information content file that is associatedwith the card identifier and/or account information. In one embodimentthe database is maintained by a third part financial institution andcontains information content files containing financial informationrelated to a plurality of customer accounts. The financial informationcan include, for example, the status of a customer's account such as acurrent limit and/or a current balance.

In another embodiment, the transaction card is a merchant card such as acustomer loyalty or frequent shopper card. As part of purchasing items,a customer presents his or her transaction card. Identifier informationfrom the transaction card is used to access a customer profile. Invarious embodiments, the customer profile includes information regardinga customer's buying preferences, level of patronage such as amount spentduring a specified period, past purchases, preferred payment method, andthe like. Based on the customer profile, the shopper can be presentedwith personalized promotions. For example if the customer profileindicated that a customer recently purchased a DVD player, thepersonalized promotion could suggest the discounted purchase of aparticular movie DVD that was on display adjacent to a point-of-salelocation. In additional embodiments, the particular movie DVDs promotedcould be based on the customer's past DVD movie buying preferences. Inanother embodiment, the information presented to a customer is based ona plurality of identifiers. In one such embodiment a product identifierand a customer identifier are used in determining the informationcontent file(s) that are retrieved and presented. In one such embodimentfor example, a customer that has provided his or her customer loyaltycard is presented with information indicating that he or she has beencharged a discounted price for a particular item due to the customer'spatronage. In another such embodiment for example, the promotionalmaterials presented are based on the purchase of an item with anavailable warranty and a customer's profile that indicates that he orshe has purchased warranties previously. In a further embodiment, theproduct associated and potentially interactive information requested bythe terminal and presented to the customer could include an offer forthe sale of goods and/or services made available to the customer at alatter time by, for example, shipping the goods to the customer. In onesuch embodiment where a customer is buying a DVD player, the customer ispresented with promotional materials for the purchase of DVD moviesshipped independently to the customer. In an alternative embodiment, thecustomer could be offered goods and/or services indirectly related tothe item being purchased. For example when a DVD is being purchased, thecustomer could be offered a discounted or a trial membership in a DVDrenting program such as the service offered by NetFlix™ of 970University Avenue, Los Gatos, Calif.

In an alternative embodiment, a shopper is provided with a portabletransaction terminal or a portable data terminal. In one embodiment theportable transaction or data terminal is attached to a customer shoppingdevice such as a shopping cart. In another embodiment to initiate thepersonalized and/or enhanced shopping operation of the portabletransaction or data terminal, a shopper provides customer identificationinformation to the portable transaction or data terminal by way of thetransaction card or payment token. In an alternative embodiment, thecustomer identification information can be provided by a customerentering a personal identification number (PIN) such as a specifiedalphanumeric sequence into the device. In another embodiment, theportable terminal is used to promote brands associated with a store'sproduct. For example if a customer using a portable terminal requestsinformation about a particular brand name product, promotional materialincluding a lower price can also be presented about a related storeproduct.

The customer identification information is used to extract a customerprofile including, for example, a list of the customer's recentpurchases. Based on the customer profile, the customer can be providedwith personally tailored promotions. In another embodiment, a customer'sown device, such as a customer's cellular phone or personal dataassistant, can be used to provide the supplemental shopping information.For example upon entering a store a customer could initiatecommunication between his or her device and, for example, a wirelessstore network, such as a 802.11b network. Based on this communication,the customer could be identified to the store and provided with thepersonally tailored promotions.

In an alternative embodiment, a customer is provided with personallytailored promotions by way of a personalized shopping flier containingspecials based on the customer's profile. The personalized shoppingflier can be provided by a display terminal located at an entrance or ata price check or information kiosk located in the store. In oneembodiment upon entering the store, a customer places a RFID enabledtransaction card or key fob in close proximity to the display terminal.The display terminal extracts customer identification information fromthe transaction card and uses the information to develop and print thepersonalized list of specials or sale items. For example, if thecustomer's profile indicates that he or she recently purchased golfclubs, the personalized list of specials could include a discount forthe purchase of golf balls. In addition in one embodiment, the list ofspecials can include directions to and/or the location of the discounteditems.

In a further embodiment, an information content file is an XML documentthat is used to format and present to a customer financial informationrelated to a transaction including information related to potentiallymultiple accounts available to the customer. For example in oneembodiment, the XML document determines or specifies promotions or termsthat are available to a customer for each of a set of availableaccounts. For example the customer could be presented with informationthat purchasing the goods with an account associated with the storeselling the goods will result in an automatic rebate being issued andcredited to the customer's store based account. In operation in oneembodiment as part of the execution of software code contained in theXML document, information pertaining to the potentially multipleaccounts is accessed from a local or a remote computer, such as acomputer maintained by a third party financial institution.

In another illustrative example, a portable data terminal is used toprovide supplemental information regarding an identifier bearing itemlocated at a remote site. In one embodiment, a portable data terminalemployed by a service technician is enabled with an identifier readingdevice. In a specific such embodiment, the identifier reading device isa RFID read/write device that can interrogate RFID tags to extract datastored therein and can transmit RF signals that cause circuits in theRFID tag to store specified information. According to one embodiment ofthe invention, a service technician can access service or repair recordsby exploiting information stored in an RFID tag attached to a devicerequiring repair or servicing. In one illustrative example a servicetechnician travels to a commercial or residential location to service anitem such as an air condition or heating unit. With the portable dataterminal, a service technician reads a RFID tag attached to the unit.The portable data terminal then establishes a cellular data connectionwith a remote computer and transmits identification informationextracted from the RFID tag. In response to the identifier information,the portable data terminal is either directly provided with servicerecords or is provided with a file data entry that the portable dataterminal uses to contact one or more additional databases to request theservice record. With the cellular connection and the identificationinformation, the service technician can also request addition materialssuch as technical references or bulletins required to complete theservicing. Once finished, the service technician can use the identifierand the cellular connection to update the service record for the device.In one embodiment, some information such as the date of the currentservicing or an identifier for the type of repair and/or service personis stored directly in the RFID tag at the conclusion of the servicing.In alternative embodiments, this information is added to the servicerecords that are stored on the remote databases or remote data storagedevices.

Referring to FIG. 12, a block diagram of a system 2 e of an embodimentfor storing and retrieving information content associated with anidentifier is shown. As with respect to the system 2 c of FIGS. 7 and 2d of FIG. 10, the system 2 e shown in FIG. 12 encompasses theembodiments 2 a and 2 b shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The system 2 e includesa plurality of terminals 10 that in one embodiment are as describedabove with respect to FIGS. 7 and 10 except for configuration changesand the operational differences described below. As indicated above, theterminals 10 include identifier readers 16 capable of generatingidentifier data that in one embodiment specifies according to anextrinsic standard at least a source of an identifier bearing item.

As shown in FIG. 12, the terminal 10 a is in communication with aplurality of data storage devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n each of which inone embodiment contain a plurality of information content files 114. Thedata storage devices 110 can be network or computer specific memorydevices or computer file servers such as web HTTP servers or FTP serversas discussed above. In alternative embodiments, the data storage devices110 are configured to provide information in response to a telephonyconnection such as a modem or cellular connection. The formats of theinformation content files 114 can be as described above with respect toFIG. 1. In one embodiment, at least one of the data storage devices 110is located on the terminal. In some embodiments as mentioned above andas described below in more detail, an entity separate from the sourcesof the identifier bearing items maintains some control over theinformation content files 114.

Also as shown in FIG. 12, the terminal is in communication with arelational database 34′. In one embodiment, the relational database 34′contains a plurality of identifier data entries 38 and a plurality ofredirection entries 52 a, . . . , 52 n (generally 52). In an alternativeembodiment, the plurality of redirection entries 52 are distributed overa plurality of databases 34′. Each of the plurality of identifier dataentries 38 is associated with at least one of the redirection entries52. In one embodiment, the identifier data entries 38 are as describedabove. In various embodiments, the redirection entries 52 containinformation used by the terminal 10 a to establish communication withthe data storage devices 110 and to extract at least one of theinformation content files 114. For example in one embodiment, each ofthe redirection entries 52 contains the network address of one of thedata storage devices 110 and the path to an information content file114. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the redirection entries53 can specify a plurality of data storage devices 110 and/or aplurality of paths to a plurality information content files 114.

Also as shown in FIG. 12, the terminal 10 a, the database 34′, the datastorage devices 110 and the central location 50 are connected to acommunications network 46 as described above. Also as described above,the central location 50 contains a central database 54 and a centraldata storage device 56 that can reside, in one embodiment, on the remotecomputer 9 of FIGS. 1 and 4.

In alternative embodiments, the relational database 34′ and/or the datastorage devices 110 are integrated in other elements of the system 2 e.For example in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the relationaldatabase 34′ and/or the data storage devices 110 could be present on thetransaction terminal 14, the PC POS cash register 6, the portable dataterminal 13, the store computer 7, and/or the remote computer 9. In anadditional alternative embodiment, the terminals 10 a is not directlyconnected to the relational database 34′ and/or the data storage devices110 and communication between the devices 10 a, 34′, 110 occurs over thecommunication network 46. In various embodiments as indicated above, theterminal 10 a can be a transaction terminal, an information and/ortransaction kiosk, a portable data terminal, a personal data assistant(PDA), a cash register, a point-of-sale location, a cellular phone, aself-checkout terminal, or an alternative computing device of anarbitrary form factor that is configured to access information contentassociated with an identifier. In various embodiments, the set ofterminals 10 in the system 2 e can include terminals 10 with differentform factors.

As shown in FIG. 13, a process 610 for retrieving and displayinginformation related to an identifier bearing item is shown. The process610 includes configuring (step 614) the terminal 10 to store databaseconnection information. In one embodiment, the configuring includesconfiguring hardware, software, and on firmware. In various embodiments,the software and/or firmware can be resident in a region 36 of thecomputer memory 16. In one embodiment, the database connectioninformation includes a network address such as an IP address. In anotherembodiment, the database connection information also includes softwareroutines and/or protocols that are used to access the database 34′. In afurther embodiment, the database connection information includeselements necessary to establish communication over a variety of linkssuch as telephone, computer, and/or satellite networks or a computerbus. In one embodiment, communication with the database 34′ includesformatted messages transmitted over a wireless IP or wired TCP/IPconnection.

To initiate the presentation of an information content file 114 relatedto an identifier bearing item, an identifier is read (step 618) from theidentifier bearing item to generate identifier data. In one embodimentas mentioned above, the identifier data specifies according to anextrinsic standard at least the source of the identifier bearing item.In one embodiment, reading an identifier includes scanning a barcode ona consumer product at a point-of-sale terminal location. In otherembodiments, the reading of an identifier can include the reading of aRFID tag, a RF payment token, a magnetic stripe card, biometric data, asmart card and the like. In another embodiment, the reader furtherdecodes (step 622) the identifier to generate decoded identifier datathat is subsequently used as an alternative to the identifier data.Using the identifier data and the database connection information, theterminal 10 a sends (step 626) a request to the database 34′ for theredirection entry 52 associated with the corresponding identifier dataentry 38. In response, the database 34′ sends (step 628) the redirectionentry 52 to the terminal 10. The redirection entry 52 is then used bythe terminal to send an information content file request (step 630) to adata storage device 110. In one embodiment, the redirection entry 52includes the network address of one of the data storage devices 110 andan index used to extract at least one information content file 114 fromthe specified data storage device 110. In various embodiments, therequests can be HTTP or FTP requests or a message formatted according toa proprietary or non-proprietary protocol. In another embodiment, thedatabase 34′ sends the information content file request directly to oneof the data storage devices 110. In this embodiment, the data storagedevice 110 is directed by the database 34′ or the computer systemassociated with the database 34′ to send the information content file114 to the terminal. In various embodiments, connection information forthe one or more data storage devices 110 to which an information contentfile request can be sent is provided by the redirection entries 52 or isconfigured in the database 34′ or the computer system associated withthe database 34′. In some embodiments, the information content filerequest can include messages being transmitted to a plurality of datastorage devices 110 to retrieve a plurality of information content files114. Once the one or more information content files 114 have beenreceived (step 634) and processed (step 638) by the terminal 10 a, thecorresponding information is displayed (step 642) to a user or customer.In some embodiments as mentioned above and as described below in moredetail, an entity separate from the sources of the identifier bearingitems maintains some control over the information content files 114.

In various such embodiments, the entity is a content management entity.According to one such embodiment, the content management entitymaintains and/or updates the contents of the database(s) 34, 34′ and/orthe data storage device(s) 110 that enable product information andpromotions to be displayed to a user/customer. As described above, thedatabase(s) 34, 34′ and data storage device(s) 110 include informationcontent files, such as image files, and file data entries, such asindices. In one embodiment, a function of the content management entityis to ensure that the product information and promotions containacceptable content and conform to required formats such as may berequired, for example, by a display device presenting promotionalmaterials. In some embodiments, the conformity aspect is facilitated byusing templates for the presentation of material. In one suchembodiment, companies desiring to have their information contentassociated with a product or group of products insert their informationcontent into the templates. Alternatively, the companies can provide thecontent that is packaged into the proper format by the contentmanagement entity. In one embodiment, the content management entityprovides guidelines for the information content files. In anotherembodiment, the content management entity develops the informationcontent files, possibility in response to information provided bycompanies desiring to have their information content associated with aproduct or group of products. In one embodiment, a function of thecontent management entity is to maintain copies of the informationcontent files that are stable in time. As described above in variousembodiments, the content management entity maintains some control overthe information content files. As discussed above, the control caninclude maintaining, developing, and/or establishing guidelines for theinformation content files. In some embodiments, the operation of thecontent management entity is located at or associated with the centrallocation 50 described above.

Another function of the content management entity in one embodiment isto periodically distribute updated versions of the content. Thisfunction can additionally include providing any software and/or hardwarenecessary for the updates to be integrated into the systems described. Afurther function of the content management entity in one embodiment isto develop different content versions. For example in one embodiment,the content, such as the specific information content files, variesdepending on the location where the content is to be presented. In oneembodiment, a store identifier determines the content version that willbe received and presented to customers. In various embodiments thecontent version provided to a store can vary depending on the storeitself, the local and/or regional geographic location of the store, thestore's immediate competitive environment and the like.

In exchange for providing at least these functions, the contentmanagement entity in one embodiment can charge fees to the companiesthat desire to have their information associated with particularproducts or groups of products. These fees could be based on theinclusion of the information, the complexity and/or size of theinformation such as whether the content includes images, graphics, videoand/or interactive components in addition to text, and/or the number oftimes that the information is accessed by user/customers. In additionalembodiments, price differentiation in fees is based on the nature of thegoods or services with which the information is associated. For example,having information associated with goods or services provided by largecompanies such as American Express™ or General Foods™ could cost adifferent amount than having information associated with the goods orservices associated with a local or regional company. In anotherembodiment, the fees for associating information with a good or serviceare dependent on the nature of the good or service in question. Forexample in one embodiment, the fee for having information presented to acustomer purchasing a computer or a DVD player is different than the feefor having information presented to a customer purchasing a basic fooditem. In another embodiment, the fee is based on whether the informationis associated with only a single item or a class of items. For examplethe fee for having information associated with any power tool purchasedcould be different than the fee for having information associated with aBlack & Decker™ power tool which might be different from the fee for aparticular model of a Black & Decker™ power tool. In a furtherembodiment, companies are provided with a fee option that allows them toexclude the provision of information by other companies such ascompetitors.

In one embodiment of the invention, the content management entity isable to control and/or modify the information presented by a terminalthrough the database and/or data storage device connection informationthat is stored on the terminal. In one embodiment different versions ofthe information content files are stored on different network computersor at different locations on a particular computer. According to thisembodiment, the version of the information content files displayed by aterminal is determined by the database and/or data storage devicenetwork address configured in the terminal. In one embodiment, theterminal can be configured to periodically check for updates ormodifications to the configured connection information. In oneembodiment in which the information content files are stored on adatabase on a network computer that is accessed by a plurality ofterminals, modification of the information content files in the databaseresults in different information being presented by the plurality ofterminals. In this embodiment, interaction with the terminals is notrequired to achieve modified information being presented by theplurality of terminals.

In other embodiments, some or all of the functions described above inconnection with the content management entity can be performed byalternative or multiple entities. For example in one embodiment, thefunctions of the content management entity are performed by two or moreentities each of which focuses on specific tasks. In one suchembodiment, one entity focuses on the development of the informationcontent files and another entity focuses on the maintenance of theinformation content files. In another such embodiment, the informationcontent files are divided into categories, such as categories based onthe underlying type of good (e.g., food items versus electronic items)and each category is developed and/or maintained by a different entity.In another embodiment, some or all of the functions of the contentmanagement entity are performed by an industry association. In one suchembodiment, the industry association is formed by companies providinggoods and/or services and desiring to develop and standardize thepresentation of information associated with goods and/or services. Inanother such embodiment, the industry association is formed by businessentities, such as retail establishments, that maintain terminals onwhich information content files are displayed.

Machine-readable storage media that can be used in the invention includeelectronic, magnetic and/or optical storage media, such as magneticfloppy disks and hard disks; a DVD drive, a CD drive that in someembodiments can employ DVD disks, any of CD-ROM disks (i.e., read-onlyoptical storage disks), CD-R disks (i.e., write-once, read-many opticalstorage disks), and CD-RW disks (i.e., rewriteable optical storagedisks); and electronic storage media, such as RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM,Compact Flash cards, PCMCIA cards, or alternatively SD or SDIO memory;and the electronic components (e.g., floppy disk drive, DVD drive,CD/CD-R/CD-RW drive, or Compact Flash/PCMCIA/SD adapter) thataccommodate and read from and/or write to the storage media. As is knownto those of skill in the machine-readable storage media arts, new mediaand formats for data storage are continually being devised, and anyconvenient, commercially available storage medium and correspondingread/write device that may become available in the future is likely tobe appropriate for use, especially if it provides any of a greaterstorage capacity, a higher access speed, a smaller size, and a lowercost per bit of stored information. Well known older machine-readablemedia are also available for use under certain conditions, such aspunched paper tape or cards, magnetic recording on tape or wire, opticalor magnetic reading of printed characters (e.g., OCR and magneticallyencoded symbols) and machine-readable symbols such as one and twodimensional bar codes.

Those of ordinary skill will recognize that many functions of electricaland electronic apparatus can be implemented in hardware (for example,hard-wired logic), in software (for example, logic encoded in a programoperating on a general purpose processor), and in firmware (for example,logic encoded in a non-volatile memory that is invoked for operation ona processor as required). The present invention contemplates thesubstitution of one implementation of hardware, firmware and/or softwarefor another implementation of the equivalent functionality using adifferent one of hardware, firmware and/or software. To the extent thatan implementation can be represented mathematically by a transferfunction, that is, a specified response is generated at an outputterminal for a specific excitation applied to an input terminal of a“black box” exhibiting the transfer function, any implementation of thetransfer function, including any combination of hardware, firmwareand/or software implementations of portions or segments of the transferfunction, is contemplated herein.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to the preferred mode as illustrated in the drawings, itwill be understood by one skilled in the art that various changes indetail may be effected therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. In particular the invention is not dependent onthe specific terminal device employed, such as a portable data terminal,a personal data assistant, a transaction terminal, a cellular phone, acash register, or a self-checkout terminal, used to retrieve informationcontent associated with an identifier. For example any of the examplesemploying one of the terminal devices described above could equally wellhave been constructed in an alternative embodiment with one of the otherdevices. In addition any of the appropriate the embodiments and examplesdescribed with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8, FIG. 9, FIGS. 10 and 11, orFIGS. 12 and 13 could equally well have been described in correspondingalternative embodiments with respect to one of the other systems ormethods. Further, any of the examples using FTP or HTTP requests couldequally well have been achieved by employing the other protocol or asuitable alternative communications request message.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a reader configuredfor reading a machine-readable identifier on an item bearing themachine-readable identifier, and generating identifier data; a remotedata storage device containing at least one information content files,wherein one of the at least one information content files is associatedwith the item; a local database containing a plurality of identifierdata entries, wherein each identifier data entry of the plurality of theidentifier data entries is associated with a file location entry of theat least one information content files based on corresponding identifierdata; and a terminal configured for: transmitting, to the localdatabase, the identifier data generated by the reader; receiving, fromthe local database, a corresponding file location entry of the at leastone information content files based on the identifier data generated bythe reader; formulating an information content file request based uponthe received corresponding file location entry; transmitting, to theremote database, the information content file request; and receiving,from the remote database, the one of the at least one informationcontent files associated with the item based upon the informationcontent file request.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the identifierdata generated by the reader is transmitted based on local databaseconnection information stored in the terminal.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the information content file request is a hypertext transferprotocol request.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the terminal isconfigured for storing general file access information that specifies anetwork address of the remote data storage device and the correspondingfile location entry provides information identifying more than oneinformation content file.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the terminalis a transaction terminal.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein theterminal is a portable data terminal.
 7. The system of claim 1, whereinthe at least one information content files comprise image files.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the at least one information content filescomprise extensible mark-up language files.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein the reader is configured for decoding the machine-readableidentifier.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the terminal isconfigured for storing general file access information that specifiesthe location of the remote data storage device and the correspondingfile location entry comprises a plurality of entries that specify filepaths on the remote data storage device.
 11. The system of claim 1,wherein the terminal is configured for storing general file accessinformation that specifies the location of the remote data storagedevice and a first file path portion, and the corresponding filelocation entry specifies second file path portions, the second file pathportions including file names.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein thecorresponding file location entry comprises file names.
 13. A system,comprising: a reader configured for reading and decoding amachine-readable identifier on an item bearing the machine-readableidentifier, and generating identifier data; a remote data storage devicecontaining at least one information content files, wherein one of the atleast one information content files is associated with the item; a localdatabase containing a plurality of identifier data entries, wherein eachidentifier data entry of the plurality of the identifier data entries isassociated with a file location entry of the at least one informationcontent files based on corresponding identifier data; and a terminalconfigured for: transmitting, to the local database, the identifier datagenerated by the reader; receiving, from the local database, acorresponding file location entry of the at least one informationcontent files based on the identifier data generated by the reader;formulating an information content file request based upon the receivedcorresponding file location entries; transmitting, to the remotedatabase, the information content file request; and receiving, from theremote database, the one of the at least one information content filesassociated with the item based upon the information content filerequest.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the terminal is configuredfor: receiving, from the local database, a redirection entry associatedwith an identifier data entry corresponding to the transmittedidentifier data; and requesting an information content file related tothe item bearing the machine-readable identifier based on theredirection entry.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the identifierdata generated by the reader is transmitted based on local databaseconnection information stored in the terminal.
 16. The system of claim13, wherein the identifier data generated by the reader is transmittedto the local database with a hypertext transfer protocol request. 17.The system of claim 13, wherein the terminal is configured for storinggeneral file access information that specifies a network address of theremote data storage device and each file location entry providesinformation identifying an information content file.
 18. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the information content files comprise extensiblemark-up language files.
 19. The system of claim 13, wherein terminal isconfigured for storing general file access information that specifiesthe location of the remote data storage device and the correspondingfile location entry specifies file paths on the remote data storagedevice.